Somewhere Over the Rainbow

return to Eaton Place for the final time...
In this second set of episodes from the BBC's revamped UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS, the dark clouds of war once again start to gather over 165 Eaton Place.

The year is now 1938. Lady Agnes (Keeley Hawes) has given birth to her second child, but mother and baby barely survived the ordeal. Weak and fragile, Agnes returns to Eaton Place where she is taken under-wing by Dr Blanche Mottershead (Alex Kingston), Sir Hallam's aunt and the half-sister of the late Maud. Following the death of Maud, Blanche has decided to remain in Belgravia indefinitely, and despite initial hostility from Hallam and the servants, she soon finds much to occupy her time - most importantly a "Kindertransport", with the assistance of Mr Amanjit (Art Malik).

Sir Hallam (Ed Stoppard) also finds himself increasingly called away from his responsibilities at Eaton Place. The Foreign Office is abuzz with rumours surrounding Hitler and his threats of war. During a trip to Germany to smooth over...

On The Precipice Of War: Season Two's Six New Episodes Allow A Great Ensemble To Shine
A fervent admirer of the original "Upstairs, Downstairs," I was more than a little intrigued when an updated series rolled out in 2010. With the original being a true piece of television history for five seasons (1971-75) of groundbreaking drama, the modernization certainly had a lot to live up to. So I was very surprised that Season One only had three episodes and that it was actually a sequel of sorts as opposed to a re-imagining. Well, the truth of the matter is that these episodes definitely lacked the bite and complexity of the preceding series. But with such a limited running time, I suppose that was to be expected. However, the resultant product (while perhaps not the stuff of TV legend) was a fitfully entertaining confection in its own right. This likable introduction received six Emmy nominations and set the stage for further and more in-depth adventures. Season Two is back with twice as many episodes (a whopping six) and this extra times gives each member of the ensemble...

I love it just like series one, even as good as 1970s U,D
The new 2012 UP/Down series two finally. Eileen Atkins and Jean Marsh dreamed up the "Upstairs, Downstairs" concept. Jean stared as Rose in the 70s and continues in 2 the new episodes, more like a cameo. Beware of confusion, the only difference between the old title and the new is the current series is missing the comma. 6 episodes advance the story in season 2. Much of the cast returns including Marsh, but not Eileen Atkins. You get the same house and music as the 1970s epic blockbuster and seasons of the modern continuation. Yet it progresses as a costume period drama, and in my opinion at the entertainment level of the standards set in the 1970s.

No disappointment from me or my wife with 2010's 3 episodes or this season's additional 6. The current cast is believable, compelling stories and character delight. Rose and the house gives old fans past memories, even though the interior was redecorated to 1930's. I fell in love with the new upstairs and downstairs families of...

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